5 minutes with Active Farmers trainer, Sonja Vieira

This week we caught up with our fantastic trainer Sonja Vieira who takes Active Farmers classes at Lockhart, The Rock, Mangoplah and Uranquinty! She has shared some insight about her background, services and motivational tips! Enjoy the read :)

Can you tell us a bit about you and where you grew up?

I grew up on 130 acre property on the north coast of NSW. I was a dedicated horse lover, Irish dancer, reader and nature lover. I have always had a love for country life and the bush, and loved  up with a menagerie of different animals around me. I have always been reasonably active, but it was not until I was in my early twenties that I really 'exercising' in the traditional sense of the word.

Coming from a rural background, how does providing a service aimed at the rural community resonate with you?

I think it is great to be able to provide a service in a rural community that is typically only available to people living in larger towns and cities. It is also a great way to further build up the community and get to know and socialize with people in your local area. For me, I really love that sense of community, bonding and fun that is experienced during that hour of physical activity and the chance to chat afterwards.

During  the cooler months can you tell us how you keep motivated?

Well, the cooler months are nearly over now, and there is a definite feeling of spring starting to creep into the air. However, it is still cool enough that some may still feel unmotivated. My advice is 'Don't over think it.' Make a fitness plan - Decide what you are going to do, exactly when you are going to do it (example, monday at 6am), and for how long (example, an hour.) and than JUST DO IT. Because while you may hate the getting up early and getting started, the sense of accomplishment and feeling of well-being that fills runs through you afterwards is SO WORTH IT!

Have you got some tips about getting yourself to class when its cold and dark?

Same as above, DON'T over think it and just DO IT! If you make the plan decision the night before to do it, make your plan and stick to it. Don't let the little voices in your head cheat you out of what really is going to help you in the long run.

What advice would you give someone considering coming to your Active Farmers classes?

If you are unsure of whether these sessions are for you or not, give me a call and we can chat! It is ok if you decided they are not for you, but you never know until you give it a go.

 Can you talk a little about what to expect at your classes?

My sessions involve a mixture of cardio and a resistance (weight) training. The aim is to provide exercise sessions that help you to increase in fitness, get stronger, boost the metabolism to help you lose weight, so that you feel healthy and fit all over! These sessions generally take the form of a boxing session, interval training, or a circuit.

How important do you think exercise and socialising is for the rural community?

It is certainly great to have an activity that brings people together with a common objective and goal. It socialising and exercise are both 2 excellent ways to remain healthy and fit both physically and mental, and group exercise sessions provide both of these elements. As a result group exercise sessions in rural communities help to build a healthy, more united and happy community, which sounds like a good thing to me!

For more information and to get in touch with Sonja click here to be re-directed to her page :)